Code of Practice

The Association of Child Abuse Lawyers is an organisation with its objects described in paragraph 3 of its Memorandum of Association. These include:-

Promoting and procuring full and prompt compensation for the physical, sexual or mental abuse of children and adults abused in childhood.

Developing wider forms of redress for survivors of abuse within the legal system.

Advancing the role of the legal process in promoting higher standards of care and protection of children and adults abused in childhood.

Any member of the Association who is a solicitor/legal executive/barrister undertakes:-

That he/she is fully aware of and will always seek to minimise the potential impact of legal advice/proceedings on a client who is a survivor of abuse.

To ensure that as far as reasonably practicable every avenue of investigation in a case is considered and/or explored.

To be prepared to pursue cases which may break legal boundaries and establish new legal precedents.

To ensure that he/she is fully acquainted with the latest developments in the law relating to abuse.

All members of the Association will have regard for the impact of abuse cases and all those who are involved in them, whether client, lawyer, or person in any other capacity.

A member of the Association who is also a solicitor/legal executive undertakes to assess any case (involving allegation of child abuse) referred to him/her by the Association. That member may refuse to assess such a case provided:-

He/she does not have the requisite expertise for such a case.

There is a potential conflict of interest.

He/she considers that the acceptance of such a case would prejudice the interest of existing clients.

There exists another good reason as to why he/she cannot accept the case.

Any member of the Association who is a solicitor/legal executive undertakes that he/she will only instruct an expert who has appropriate experience and that detailed and comprehensive instructions will be give to that expert.

That member will ensure that as far as reasonably practicable that the client is appropriately prepared for the examination by the expert.